Achievements listed in 2014 Annual Report

Achievements

  • The University of Arkansas enrolled an all-time record of 1525 international students in the fall 2014 semester.  The countries sending the largest number of students were China, Brazil, India, Panama, and Bolivia.  Much of the growth in numbers came from the growth of sponsored visiting students from Brazil.  The number of international scholars coming to the University of Arkansas decreased to 226.  Of the 226 scholars, 43 scholars had teaching duties, 170 were primarily conducting research, while 13 had administrative or supporting roles.  China, India, Brazil, Korea and France sent the largest number of scholars to the University of Arkansas. 
  • Participation by students and scholars in the iFriend program (Frienship Family and Campus Cousins) increased 24 percent from 2013 to 2014.  Attendance at iFriend events increased 30 percent.
  • In March, 2014, the office implemented Sunapsis as the office systems management tool for international student and scholar information.  Homeland Security reporting, student and scholar requests, event registration, and departmental requests will be handled through this software.
  • The office was given the responsibility to monitor the travel of international students and scholars to and from countries where Polio, Tuberculosis, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and Ebola were endemic to help protect the health and welfare of the campus community.
  • Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art invited the International Culture Team to participate in the first International Student Night.
  • As a result of office staff turn-over, the dean of Graduate School and International Education requested Human Resources and the Employee Assistance Program to conduct a job analysis and an office climate survey, respectively.  The Human Resources report showed that there needed to be a career ladder established for the Foreign Student Advisor positions and that position titles needed to more accurately reflects the responsibilities for the Assistant Director of Outreach and the Associate Director.
  • Cameron Caja represented the visiting student program through a speech at the Study Abroad Foundation China Symposium in Beijing, and at 3 Korean Universities, 4 college preparatory academies, and 1 high school.
  • Audra Johnston implemented Scholar Saturdays to meet State Department requirements for cultural programming for Exchange Visitor Scholars.  She took scholars to Oktoberfest in Tulsa, the Grapefest in Tontitown, and Lights of the Ozarks on the Fayetteville square.  Each field trip had a discussion associated with the event so that scholars could learn more about the diversity and cultural heritage of this part of the United States.